Thanksgiving meets Christmas

 Friday afternoon, we enjoyed a relaxing Thanksgiving feast and Christmas decorating with my family.

Sweet Casey girl

Sammy boy

the three of us :)

It was turkey cutting time. Can you tell? :)

and what a beautiful turkey it was!

dinner time! mmmmmmmm.

(this is my favorite part)

mom and me decorating for Christmas (well, she was decorating, I was watching :)

LOVE the fire in the fireplace

these two were quite the helpers...

 Carly chowed on pie

while I helped Mom put Christmas lights on.

this is how it has been since I can remember.

i untangle the lights. Mom puts them on the tree. (not that she likes it. but she does it.)

this year, we bought new lights, so untangling really meant take-lights-out-of-package-and-straighten.

Thanks for the yummy meal and special memories, family. I love you.

Can't wait for Christmas to come to my house next week!

Thanksgiving festivities at the McGoverns

We spent this Thanksgiving at John's parents' house with his bro and sis-in-law, grandmas, aunt and cousin. 

It was a party!

Brothers reunited with Grandmama

Gorgeous table, as always

love my little fam

 Kris loves to squirt the whip cream :)

cousins!

the fam

my fellow mrs. mcgovern :) love you, V!

Sam and J had fun with the pups. Sam especially enjoyed Baker.

my little sleepyheads

We played a "guess how many candies are in the jar" game, and Karl and I tied for first place!

Ladies and gentlemen, I present:

Dr. Karl and Nurse Jay

I took quite a few grandma pictures, but I rather enjoy Grandmama mid-slap on J's thigh.

Who knows why he got in trouble. But how cute are they all?!

the iphone owners. i'm not sure if this is funny or ridiculous. oh well :)

Sam and Valinda, in fifty years.

love it.

We had a great time with you all. S & V, miss you already! Love you bunches.

God's voice made clear

Tonight, I'm thankful for this simple yet powerful verse a friend reminded me of:

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, 

and do not lean on your own understanding. 

In all your ways acknowledge him, 

and he will make straight your paths."

Prov 3:5-6

I'm also thankful for this simple reminder, in a song by Keith and Kristyn Getty.

It's truly one of my favorites.

You can hear it here.
It's even their opening song on their website.
A few lyrics to "Still, my Soul be Still:"
   
Still my soul be still
And do not fear

Though winds of change may rage tomorrow

 God is at your side 

No longer dread 

The fires of unexpected sorrow  

God You are my God 

And I will trust in You and not be shaken 

Lord of peace renew 

A steadfast spirit within me 

To rest in You alone

Sorry for the lack of posts over the last few days.

Thanksgiving recap to come.

I've been trying to rest up and regain the voice I lost in time for work tomorrow.
Your prayers are appreciated :)

Thankful for Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year, we are I am starting the morning off nice and early with homemade cinnamon rolls while waiting for hubby to wake up. :)

This afternoon, we get to see J's bro and sis-in-law, Sam and Valinda, as well as J's awesome cousin Dr. Karl, and have turkey with the McGoverns! Super fun. Valinda is sick like me, so we will be buddies :).

[from last thanksgiving]

Tomorrow, we'll join my family for Thanksgiving, part two. Can't wait to see them and the transformation to Christmas that occurs in that home the day after Thanksgiving every year :).

[also last thanksgiving]

And this year, Bear has a new buddy to play with! [aka Baker - it's Baker's first Thanksgiving with us!]

[last year]

This year, there is so much to be thankful for.

At the top of my list, you will find:

my wonderful husband
  my adorable and entertaining puppies, Em and Bakes. and another thanksgiving with Casey and Sammy
    my sweet little bird, Luigi (this is his THIRD thanksgiving with us!)
      my amazingly funny and cute little sister
        my all star parents
          my so-thoughtful in-laws and fun extra family
            the best grandparents ever
              our warm, safe, and cozy home
                a job as a nurse and the sweetest patient and family
              J's providing for our family over the last few years
            laughter, encouragement, smiles, hugs, text messages, and love
          chapstick (this will always make it on the list, if you know me)
        a healthy family (for the most part)
      two cars that run
    fellowship with forever friends
  two Thanksgiving meals with our amazing families
the Lord's protection, provision, grace, patience, and everlasting love

What are you thankful for?

On this day

Today,

I'm off! I've been working since last Monday with a quick Friday "break," so three days off is joyous. 

Starbucks with hubby! 

The house is getting cleaned and the laundry is getting done. 

I'm sick - again. not excited about that :( - but am excited to be home and sick rather than working and sick.

I'm still in my pajamas. Mainly because I'm sick. But also because I can.

John works his last day before being off for four. Yay honey! 

[sidenote: this nursing schedule is challenging as far as common days off for us...

 i have three, he has four, and only two overlap. thankful for a job though]

and my favorite part...

I get to see my sister! I'm addicted to her... I can't get enough :)

Enjoy your week of fun and festivities! Any fun plans?

Do you like Keith Urban?

Today, I am thankful for my husband.

I'm thankful that he was brave enough to come to my dorm room 

and ask me to the Keith Urban concert five years ago yesterday.

I'm thankful he stayed and helped me study that night.

I'm thankful that he was patient and waited while I took a day to "check my schedule..." aka ask my roomie.

I'm thankful he called me exactly when I told him to, so I could say 'yes.'

I'm thankful he stuck by me every day for the last five years.

I'm thankful he asked me to marry him.

I'm thankful for his love, his laugh, his wisdom, his conversation, his hugs, his faith, his trust, and his promise.

I love you honey. And I can't wait for the next five years we get to spend together.

Here's a quick peek into a few of my favorites over the years, starting with our first photo.

Love you, handsome! 

Thanks for choosing me.